Hector , Gillian Elizabeth (G E)

NEW ROH record, 26 Sep 2026. Lost overboard from the submarine SAS Manthatisi off Kommetjie, Cape Town, on 20 September 2023. The boat was on passage from Simon's Town to Table Bay for the South African Navy Festival when, at about 14h30, high waves swept seven of the casing party into the sea during a vertical replenishment exercise with a South African Air Force Maritime Lynx helicopter. All seven were recovered by the National Sea Rescue Institute near Slangkop Lighthouse; three died.
- This person was the submarine's executive officer.
- NO SOUTH AFRICAN NAVY DEATH FOR 2023 WAS ON THIS ROLL AT ALL before these three were added, although the loss was widely reported at the time.
- Confirmed against Naval News ("South Africa's Submarine SAS MANTHATISI Loses 3 sailors in Accident", 2023), TimesLive (21 Sep 2023), defenceWeb and the SAS Manthatisi Wikipedia article. Raised by an article John forwarded on 26 Sep 2026, whose commentary is not used.
- Age and next of kin are not recorded: the sources consulted do not give them, and nothing has been estimated.
- A Board of Inquiry was held and its findings passed to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation; defenceWeb reported that no human blame was apportioned. Three years on the investigation had not concluded, and the executive officer's widower has brought civil proceedings disputing the Navy's account. Those proceedings are unresolved and nothing from them is treated as settled fact here.